The Belgian Twins | Page 8

she said. "Oh, listen! Weasels do not ride on horseback!
There are hoof-beats on the road!"
"Some neighbor returning late from Malines," said Father Van Hove,
yawning. "It does not concern us."
But his wife was already out of bed, and at the window. The horsemen
were now plainly visible, riding like the wind, and as they whirled by
the houses their shout thrilled through the quiet streets of the village:
"Burghers, awake! Awake! Awake!"
Wide awake at last, Father Van Hove sprang out of bed and hastily
began putting down his clothes. His wife was already nearly dressed,
and had lighted a candle. Other lights sparkled from the windows of
other houses. Suddenly the bell in the church-steeple began to ring
wildly, as though it, too, were shaken with a sudden terror. "It must be
a fire," said Father Van Hove.
Still fastening her clothing, his wife ran out of the door and looked
about in every direction. "I see no fire," she said, "but the village street
is full of people running to the square! Hurry! Hurry! We must take the
children with us; they must not be left here alone."
She ran to wake the children, as she spoke, and, helped by her
trembling fingers, they, too, were soon dressed, and the four ran
together up the road toward the village church. The bell still clanged
madly from the steeple, and the vibrations seemed to shake the very
flesh of the trembling children as they clung to their mother's hands and
tried to keep up with their father's rapid strides.
They found all the village gathered in front of the little town- hall. On
its steps stood the Burgomeister and the village priest, and near them,
still sitting astride his foam-flecked steed, was one of the soldiers who
had brought the alarm. His two companions were already far beyond
Meer, flying over the road to arouse the villages which lay farther to
the east. The church-bell suddenly ceased its metallic clatter, and while
its deep tones still throbbed through the night air, the wondering and
frightened people crowded about the steps in breathless suspense.

The Burgomeister raised his hand. Even in the moonlight it could be
seen that he was pale. He spoke quickly. "Neighbors," he said, "there is
bad news! the German army is on our borders! It is necessary for every
man of military age and training to join the colors at once in case the
army is needed for defense. There is not a moment to lose. This
messenger is from headquarters. He will tell you what you are to do."
The soldier now spoke for the first time. "Men of Belgium," he cried,
"your services are needed for your country and your King! The men of
Meer are to report at once to the army headquarters at Malines. Do not
stop even to change your clothing! We are not yet at war, and our good
King Albert still hopes to avert it by an armed peace, but the neutrality
of Belgium is at stake, and we must be ready to protect it at any cost,
and at an instant's notice. Go at once to the Brussels gate of Malines.
An officer will meet you there and tell you what to do. I must ride on to
carry the alarm to Putte." He wheeled his horse as he spoke, and,
turning in his saddle, lifted his sword and cried, "Vive le Roi!"
"Vive le Roi! Vive la Belgique!" came in an answering shout from the
people of Meer, and he was gone.
There was a moment of stunned silence as he rode away; then a sound
of women weeping. The Burgomeister came down from the steps of the
town-hall, said farewell to his wife and children, and took his place at
the head of the little group of men which was already beginning form
in marching order. The priest moved about among his people with
words of comfort.
Father Van Hove turned to his wife, and to Jan and Marie, who were
clinging to her skirts. "It is only a bad dream, my little ones," he said,
patting their heads tenderly; "we shall wake up some day. And you, my
wife, do not despair! I shall soon return, no doubt! Our good King will
yet save us from war. You must finish the harvest alone--but--" "Fall
in!" cried the voice of the Burgomeister, and Father Van Hove kissed
his wife and children and stepped forward.
Mother Van Hove bravely checked her rising sobs. "We shall go with
you to Malines, at any rate," she said firmly. And as the little group of
men started forward along the yellow road, she and many more women
and children of the village marched, away with them in the